Okay so I make tons of stuff and I love to share and show people how to make it. I am intensely visual so sorry for the image heavy stuff. Other wise have fun! (I am not exaggerating by any source of the imagination)I saw this idea on cutoutandkeep.com and took my own spoof off of it and made journal covers. Here are pictures, and instructions. ( Mind you I havent written one of these in a while so it may be spotty, lemme know if you see some improvements to be made!)

A- What I am doing here is measuring the outter covers of the journal I intend on covering. I measure outside of the area to half an inch around the actual size of the journal cover.

B- By this point I have cut out 2 pieces of fabric and I am now rolling the edge to make a hem that is 1/2".

C- They are now pinned down and ready to be sewn.

D- Here I am measuring how far the fabrick should be seperated to allow for space on the spine of the journal. Here I used 1".

E- Giant bag of leather scraps that I picked up from my local Joanns.

F- Shot of half inch rolled hem

G- The inch spine gap.

H- This is a shot of the light marking on the leather. I took the scrap of leather and paid it out flat. Aligning the two inner covers of journal together, one inch apart- I traced around the outter edge to get a full piece of leather marked out.

I- Said piece of cut leather.

J- Here I am taking another piece of darker leather and laying it directly over top of what I have cut out already. I like the stitched look so you can skip this if you like, if not continue.

K- While measuring it out I flip the leather over with the wrong side up and trace around the rectangle I have already cut.

L- Now the second piece of leather is cut and I have set it on top of the 1st piece I have cut.

-In between step here-I have traced around the raw edge of the leather that is laid ontop of the first piece cutting away what is underneathe the upper piece i just cut. So that they can be stitched together.

M and N- Now I am beginning to use my awl to make holes so I can sew easier. (Trust me buy an awl it will make your life cake walk compared to using a traditional leather needle.)

O- Preparing the cord to be used, threading the needle and cutting off a working bit of it. ( Ladies do NOT use your good shears on leather cord it destroys them, instead use some kitchen scissors or a knife)

P- And this is why using an awl can be great and bad at the same time. It will put holes through leather in a hurry, but get your table too. So use cardboard under your space when using an awl. You will not be happy how your table looks after lol.

Q- Cord Shot!

R- the 1st of the two journal's stitching.S- Underside of the first one.T- Baseball stitching ( atleast I think thats what it is... lol)U- Simple double knot to start and end. (Using waxed cord is best)V- Supply check! We are now done with the hand stuff!!!!

http://s8.photobucket.com/albums/a27/girlytattoos/?action-view&current=PAGE6.jpgA- Running a straight seam stitch along the pinned down fabricB and D- Then some decroative stitching! This was around the time I did the signature stitch as well.C- Now when you sew up on leather. Do not tick pins in it. Other wise your piece will have holes in it, that will not come out. Just hold it firmly under the machine foot and move slow. I am a firm believer that most sewing machines will sew leather if you move slow and steady and have the right gauge needle.

E- I have asembled the majority of the cover. Both sides are sew together and its ready to be turned. I recommend cutting off the excess corners.